Fashion and Style · Health

Hair – Five Ways to Care for Your Mane

How to Care for your Hair
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

For a lot of us, our mop is something we take for granted. It’s there, on the tops of our heads, an we don’t think about it much beyond washing it and getting it cut occasionally. However, for some people, hair can be a problematic issue and it can cause problem with self esteem. With that in mind, I’ve put together a few tips for things that you can do to look after your mane, to keep it in tip-top condition:

Invest in Good Products

You might be tempted to go for the cheapest shampoo and conditioner you can find, and you wouldn’t be alone in this, but investing in good quality products like Nanogen hair products will help to ensure you’re not using unneccessary chemicals which could damage your hair in the long run. The issue with cheaper products is that they may leave your locks in worse condition due to harmful chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils.

Use Protection

There are so many things that damage your hair on a day to day basis, from the UV rays of the sun to your hair straighteners, so using some form of protection is essential. Get yourself a heat protection spray for use before styling your ‘do, and find a good UV protection product for daily use. The absolute best way to protect your hair from the sun, besides completely avoiding it, is by wearing a hat or cap.

Think About Brushing

While we were once advised to do the whole “100 strokes before bedtime” thing, the current wosdom suggests that you should be brushing your hair twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. This prevents matting and keeps the natural oils of your head distributed evenly through your hair. You should also buy a good brush – a mixture of mylon and boar bristles is currently thought to be the best combination to keep your hair strong and healthy.

Treat Yourself to Weekly Treatments

If style your hair with heat, you will already know the benefits of using deep hydrating treatments to replenish any lost moisture. The same effect can also be achieved by using an oil high in vitamin E, such as olive or avocado oil. To get the best results, gently warm the oil in a pan on a low heat and apply to your whole head. Wrap in a warm towel and wash out after fourth five minutes. The heated oil allows it to be more easily absorbed into the cuticle, boosting its effective qualities.

Turn the Shower Down

Rinsing your head with cold water helps with closing your cuticle after your hair is washed. Open cuticle is good while shampooing or conditioning your hair but after you’re done, you want to seal the cuticle. This way, your hair doesn’t get damaged too easily. If you use cold water for your final rinse then there’s a much better chance that your tresses will stay shiny, healthy and frizz-free for a longer period of time.

Beauty

Nurturing Your Outer Shell: 5 Cosmetic Treatments Every Woman’s Face Can Benefit From

Photo by Andreas Fidler on Unsplash

Human faces are one of the most important parts of our anatomy. Our face is how we connect with other people, it’s how we present ourselves to the world, and it’s who we are; our true identities.

That being said, there seems to be a constant striving where we want to be the best person we want to be, which means we are looking for the best ways to improve our face. Getting the face we want can help boost our self-confidence and our self-esteem, as well as helping us live the lives we want to live.

Today, we’re going to explore five of the best cosmetic treatments every woman can benefit from, regardless of what you’re looking for.

#1 – Crows Feet

Whether you’re using a series of creams or having a Botox operation can help to remove crow’s feet. These are a tell-tale sign of aging, and they normally appear around the eyes when you’re laughing or smiling.

Removing, or at least softening these lines are a great way to achieve a younger appearance and can help you feel more confident as you go about your everyday life.

#2 – Frown Lines

Frown lines are found on the forehead and usually consists of two deep trenches that go from side to side. These lines can develop from all number of things from stress to sun damage and contribute to an aged look.

To reduce frown lines, you can receive a cosmetic treatment, use creams and ointments, as well as being mindful of how much tension you have in your face throughout your day.

 #3 – Sagging Skin

This is, perhaps, one of the most common forms of aging, especially around the face. This can happen anywhere from under the eyes, cheeks, chin, and forehead. This occurs naturally with age but can also be the result of stress and sun damage.

To tighten your skin, you can receive a cosmetic treatment that basically pins the skin backward, or receives injections to plump up the skin, so it has more structure.

 #4 – Nose Shaping

The nose is such a prominent feature on the face, and a crook, a bent or an abnormal can have such a dramatic effect on the way your face looks. Typically, any kind of nose shaping will need to be carried out using cosmetic surgery.

Thanks to modern technology, you can have the entire shape of your nose reshaped, the size can be changed, or you may have the operation under certain medical circumstances.

 #5 – Sun Damage

Sun damage is one of the biggest problems that affect the skin, especially around your face because it’s directly impacted at all hours of the day. Of course, you should do what you can, such as wearing a hat and applying sunscreen to negate these effects.

However, if your skin is damaged from the effects of the sun, there are plenty of treatments, creams, and cosmetic operations out there that can help you reverse the effects.

 Summary

There are plenty of things out there you can do to improve the health and well-being of your face. The benefits of any of these treatments are so clear when it comes to confidence and happiness in your own skin, so it’s well worth researching what’s out there for you.

Beauty

Which Chemical Peel Treatment is Best for Your Skin?

When it comes to rejuvenating your skin and making it look younger than ever before, nothing can quite top chemical peel treatments in terms of ease and effectivity. Plus, despite the fact that the word ‘chemical’ has a lot of negative connotations to it, chemical peels are actually completely safe.

However, there are a few considerations that you should think about before booking a makeover deal with a bundled chemical peel treatment. To make sure that the chemical peel with bring out your skin’s best qualities, you need to get to know your options better. Here are some of the most common chemical peel treatments offered by dermatological clinics and beauty centers:

Glycolic Peel. This particular type of chemical peel involves glycolic acid, which is obtained from sugarcane plants. Glycolic acid has a very small molecular size, and as such can really penetrate deep into the skin, making this particular chemical peel great for exfoliation and rejuvenation. Depending on the result you desire, you may want to ask for a glycolic peel that is gentler or a bit more intense than usual.
Lactic Peel. The chemicals used in lactic peel treatment are derived from milk, making it perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin. If you’re the type to easily get skin allergies or have adverse reactions to active ingredients, the lactic chemical peel treatment should be the peel for you.
Vitalize Peel. This chemical peel treatment involves the use of citric, lactic, and salicylic acids – along with the help of a retinol layer – to improve the quality and lighten the color of your skin. This only affects the uppermost part of your skin and results in very little peeling, making it a great ‘beginner peel’ treatment for those who may have not undertaken any chemical peels in the past.
Beta Peel. Beta peel chemical treatments are used mainly to treat serious cases of acne in children and adults. Its main component, salicylic acid, exfoliates the skin and helps with oil control while also targeting the bacteria that cause acne.
Pigment Balancing Peel. This chemical peel treatment focuses on lightening the pigmentation of the skin for a more consistent skin tone and to eliminate dark or brown spots. Those who choose to undertake this particular peel must be aware that the results may take some time to truly be realized. It also requires the patient to use sunscreen to achieve the desired effect.
Mandelic Peel. This is another type of peel that is advisable for those who have yet to experience a chemical peel treatment, due to its use of gentler but still effective chemical components. It’s also advisable for those with skin conditions such as rosacea, or with dark-colored skin.
TCA Peel. This is a medium strength chemical peel treatment designed to target multiple skin conditions such as extreme skin discoloration and actinic keratosis. The trichloroacetic acid component used in this particular peelmakes it great for removing abnormal skin cells.

Now that we know some of the more common types of peels there are, how do you know which one is the best for you? While you can certainly do your own research and consult your fellow skincare enthusiasts, nothing beats a consultation with a licensed professional dermatologist or skin care expert to help you pick out the right one for you. Before booking a chemical peel treatment, let the professionals know what your goals for your skin are and if you have skin conditions that need to be addressed. Remember, this is your skin we’re talking about – there shouldn’t be any guesswork involved when it comes to taking care of it.

Beauty

6 Winter Makeup Tips

Winter is upon us, and that means different things for many of us depending on where we live. However, overall it typically equates to cooler outdoor temperatures and indoor heat so it’s best to be ready for the changes this will bring. And while we need to moisturize and hydrate more to combat the evils of dry skin, our makeup will need to change as well.

Don’t worry if you’re watching your pennies, as these aren’t huge changes by any means … but changes nonetheless. Need some cold weather inspiration? Read on for six winter makeup tips that will keep you glowing during these colder months without opting for permanent make-up.

46805218 – happy candid girl with white teeth and perfect smile warmly clothed in winter
  1. Go Lighter with Your Foundation

Even if you were diligent with your sunscreen over the summer, you likely had at least a hint of a tan. In fact, you probably had to go darker with your foundation because of it. Unless you plan on vacationing to tropical areas all winter long (lucky you!), it’s time to go back to a shade that’s a better match to your natural skin tone.

  1. Fixing Fun with Correctors

No one’s skin is flawless (even you, Kate Beckinsale) but our flaws tend to become more apparent during the winter. This is probably because we don’t have the benefit of hiding behind the aforementioned tan. Don’t fret, though, as a good corrector can do the trick. Hiding dark spots, blemishes, and other imperfections, a palette with various shades of correctors is a makeup artist’s favorite tool. Not only will this corrector conceal your flaws but it will also brighten the skin during the winter months.

  1. Bring on the Bronzer and/or Self-Tanner

If you’ve got Nicole Kidman-esque porcelain skin, go ahead and rock that all winter long. The rest of us often need a bit of help to look as though we haven’t actually died without anyone knowing. Most everyone looks good with color, so work with a makeup artist at your favorite cosmetics store to find a bronzer or self-tanner that will give you a sun-kissed look without getting orange in the process.

  1. Get Festive with Blush and Highlighter

Many women assume they can’t pull off highlighter, but everyone can and should! Again, if you’re not confident in your ability to apply this fun kind of cosmetic to your face, ask a makeup artist for help. Combined with just the right amount of blush, this can be a magical look. While a powder highlighter would be fine, a liquid one would be even better for winter. And if you’re going to a holiday or New Year’s Eve party, you might even consider choosing one with a bit of shimmer. Have some fun!

  1. Beware of Pores

We want to avoid doing our makeup in such a way that our pores becoming visibly obvious. What will help with that is a good primer, as this helps makeup to avoid going into the cracks and pores. This will also help to avoid highlighting wrinkles, so it’s a win/win. You also want to stay away from anything too powdery during the winter and stick to dewy products due to dry skin.

As celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose says via Allure magazine, “Powder can make fair skin look duller.” Instead, he says to go with a moisturizing cream that’s one shade warmer than your own skin tone.

  1. Keep Those Lips Luscious

We all have friends who are lipstick addicts but the harsh truth is that, if your lips are prone to cracking during the winter, lipstick is only going to highlight this. You can opt for a moisturizing lipstick or stick with a tinted lip balm. The latter is handy for that time under the mistletoe during the holiday season.

58600123 – female putting applying lip balm moisturizing balsam. girl taking care of lips. skincare.

The winter months can be harsh on our skin so we need to give it a good base by getting plenty of rest, keeping up with our cleansing routine, and perhaps even giving a bit more TLC with hydrating masks. But beyond that—if you follow these makeup tips during these colder months—you will have that glowing, dewy skin many assume you can only get during the summer months.

Beauty

Taking Care of my Skin with Biotulin

One of the knock-on effects of me being overweight is that I’ve made less effort in other ways with my appearance. I think it’s an issue with confidence and self-esteem, but because I’ve had a lot of self-loathing about my weight, it means that I feel like it’s just not worth making the effort to make myself look nice. On the flipside of this, now that I AM taking care of myself, it’s given me a little more of an interest in making myself look more presentable.

One thing that I am worried about with losing weight is loose skin, not just on my tummy (inevitable after two large pregnancies resulting in c-sections, as well as my weight) but also my face. I’ve seen SO many celebs who are large their whole lives, lose a bunch of weight but suddenly look ten years older because the chub had been giving them a bit of a “baby face” effect. Once the fat melts away, there’s nothing pushing the wrinkles out anymore!! Anyway, the crux of all this is that I’ve been researching skincare recently, trying to find something effective but affordable, and I think I’ve found it.

Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel is actually used by the Duchess Kate Middleton, and was also a recommendation that she shared with Michelle Obama, both of whom have incredible skin! The gel is basically like a non-injectable, organic botox which firms and tightens the face. It contains a natural local anesthetic extracted from the plant Acmella oleracea, which promises to reduce muscle contractions and relax the facial features around the eyes and between the eyebrows. This promises to reduce fine lines and make the skin noticeably smoother.

Michelle’s make-up artist, Carl Ray, says “Michelle Obama has been using this organic Botox gel regularly on the recommendation of Kate Middleton”, while Michelle herself said “It’s really pretty basic. I wash my face with a good cleanser, and I use a moisturizer with an SPF. Every now and then I’ll go to a dermatologist for microderm or a facial, but I don’t have time to do that all the time.”

The best thing about this miracle product is that it only costs £43 per bottle, making it affordable for even us mere mortals, unlike a lot of the other high-end products on the market – I’m going to make sure that this is well and truly at the top of my birthday list in June! Knowing that I’ll be able to use something to firm my face as the weight melts off is a real bonus because weight loss isn’t always as simple as being fat at the beginning and slim at the end, especially as you get older.

If it’s good enough for Michelle Obama, it’s definitely good for me!